2025 – CHW
The hydrangeas put aside the for sale at Hampton Court
Hydrangea ‘Yulika’ destined for Hampton Court.
A flower out in June on Camellia x williamsii ‘Pink Icicle’ in the nursery.
A large beech tree trunk over the river below Brownberry, removed stump and all, by Frankie’s mighty machine.
Another recently fallen beech tree at the top end of Old Park cut up and the track restored.
Its all go at the moment with renovations to the kitchen to comply with ‘The Health’! Out comes the old sink and units and back will go stainless steel. Fease and Kev are hard at it.
The sycamore tree at the Hovel comes down without breaking Karol’s internet connection.
2024 – CHW
Saturday fine but much cooler now than earlier in the week.A very dark red deciduous azalea above the Trevanion holly.
Saturday fine but much cooler now than earlier in the week.A very dark red deciduous azalea above the Trevanion holly.
Rhododendron auriculatum now full out.
Rhododendron sanguineum full out beyond George’s Hut.
Stachyurus ‘Devon Purple’ planted recently but living up to its name.
Styrax serratifolius has only a very few flowers this year.
Cotoneaster ‘Exburiensis’ full out and covered in butterflies as usual.
Rosa ‘American Pillar’ nearly out on the Tin Garden shed.
Carya cordiformis growing away well.
Ilex cerasifolia with flower buds and bronze new leaves.
Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’ growing far better than last year.
2023 – CHW
A little rain but only enough to dry the dust. It however smells fresher. A quest to see which other Manglietias are out.
Polyspora knocked back by winter frost rather than the drought.
Yesterday this rhododendron had its leaves half curled back. Today the leaves at least are absorbing some water.
You can see how little rain we have had in the Michelia doltsopa branch at ground level where the dogs (normally) know they can drink.
Magnolia/ Manglieta TH6438 flowering for perhaps the second time at about 20 feet in height. 6-8 flowers. Looks like M. insignis and a rather insipid flower form compared to the one last week.
Our Uocodendron whartonii has died in the drought. Asia may have propagated?
One drought death in our young clump of rhododendron williamsianum.
Magnolia virginiana ‘Pink Halo’ is more of a brown halo so far but rather earlier to produce flowers than other forms of M. virginiana.
2022 – CHW
The Royal Isle of Wight County Show. Fortunately the Gardeners’ Question Time event, where I was supposed to be on stage, was cancelled. A very agricultural day out!
Sheep judging.
A pen of Batch Blue Texels.
And a Jacob sheep.
Calf judging.
Miniature goats.
And miniature donkeys!
Pigs in repose.
Rows of antique tractors.
Only the Isle of Wight could have a National Poo Museum.
Speaks for itself!
Suffolk sheep.
Hampshire Down sheep.
2021 – CHW
The very last flower on Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’.
The very last flower on Magnolia ‘Caerhays Surprise’.
This ancient Cornus kousa hangs in there as one side shoot managed to get some roots down. The rest of the trunk is rotting away.
Styrax japonicus from Taeuksando (BSWJ 14182) has an erect, upright habit and decent large flowers. Slightly different shape to ‘Emerald Pagoda’ perhaps but not much different.
Aralia foliosa (Roundabarrow) is not at all like the herbaceous species seen a couple of days ago. A single stem and about 4-5ft of new growth already this year. Nasty spiked prickles on the stem. Perhaps 15ft tall now.
A young Magnolia macrophylla has doubled in size in a year. The old original plant died last year.
